Printed on 3/17/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a 10-item self-report questionnaire specifically designed to screen for depression in the postnatal period, though it is also validated for use during pregnancy and in non-postnatal populations. Each item is scored 0-3, yielding a total score of 0-30. A score of 10 or higher indicates possible depression warranting further assessment, and a score of 13 or higher suggests likely depression. The EPDS is recommended by numerous clinical guidelines for routine perinatal depression screening and has been translated into over 60 languages.
Formula: Total score = sum of all 10 items (each 0-3). Range 0-30. ≥10 possible depression, ≥13 likely depression.
Rate how you've been feeling over the past 7 days. Questions cover mood, enjoyment, self-blame, anxiety, fear, coping, sleep, sadness, crying, and thoughts of self-harm.
Each item scores 0-3 based on symptom severity. Some items are reverse-scored. Your total score ranges from 0 to 30.
Score below 10: depression unlikely. Score 10-12: possible depression, further assessment recommended. Score 13+: likely depression requiring clinical evaluation. Any positive response to question 10 (self-harm thoughts) requires immediate attention.
OB-GYNs & midwives
Screen for antenatal depression at the first prenatal visit and each trimester. Depression during pregnancy affects 10-15% of women and increases risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
Pediatricians & family physicians
Screen mothers at well-baby visits (2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months). Postpartum depression peaks at 6-8 weeks and pediatric visits offer opportunities to screen mothers alongside infant care.
OB-GYNs & nurse practitioners
The 6-week postpartum visit is the standard time for depression screening. The EPDS is recommended by ACOG and AAP as the primary screening tool for perinatal mood disorders.
Family physicians & mental health providers
8-10% of new fathers experience postnatal depression. The EPDS is validated for paternal screening with a lower cutoff (5-6). Partner depression affects infant development and family wellbeing.
Psychiatrists & therapists
Repeat EPDS at 2-4 week intervals to monitor treatment response in mothers receiving therapy or medication for perinatal depression. A 5-point decrease indicates meaningful improvement.
New and expecting mothers
If you're a new or expecting mom wondering if what you're feeling is 'baby blues' or something more serious, the EPDS helps distinguish normal adjustment from clinical depression.
Any endorsement of thoughts of self-harm (question 10), even 'hardly ever,' requires direct follow-up about suicidal ideation and safety planning, regardless of the total score.
Unlike the PHQ-9, the EPDS doesn't ask about sleep, appetite, or fatigue—symptoms that are normal in pregnancy and postpartum. This makes it more specific for detecting true depression in this population.
Perinatal depression can emerge at any time from pregnancy through the first year postpartum. ACOG recommends screening at least once during pregnancy and once postpartum, but more frequent screening catches more cases.
A score of 10-12 indicates possible depression warranting watchful monitoring and follow-up screening. A score of 13+ suggests likely depression requiring comprehensive clinical evaluation.
The EPDS has been translated into 60+ languages, but cultural norms around emotional expression during motherhood vary. Some mothers may underreport due to stigma or expectations about maternal happiness.
If concerned about a partner who may not recognize or report symptoms, loved ones can complete the EPDS based on their observations, though this is less accurate than self-report.
Baby blues (mood swings, tearfulness) affect up to 80% of new mothers and resolve within 2 weeks. Symptoms persisting beyond 2 weeks or an EPDS score ≥10 suggest clinical depression requiring evaluation.
The EPDS includes anxiety items but isn't a comprehensive anxiety screen. If anxiety symptoms are prominent (panic, intrusive thoughts, excessive worry about the baby), add the GAD-7 for a complete picture.
When screening fathers, use a cutoff of 5-6 rather than 10-13. Paternal depression presents differently and the standard cutoffs miss many affected fathers.
The EPDS does not detect postpartum psychosis—a rare but dangerous condition with hallucinations, delusions, and severe agitation. Ask directly about unusual experiences if psychosis is suspected.
Your EPDS score ranges from 0 to 30 and reflects the severity of depressive symptoms in the perinatal period. A score below 10 suggests that significant depression is unlikely at this time. A score of 10-12 indicates possible depression that warrants further clinical assessment and follow-up screening. A score of 13 or higher suggests likely depression of varying severity that should prompt a comprehensive clinical evaluation and discussion of treatment options.
Regardless of the total score, any positive response to question 10 (thoughts of self-harm) should be taken seriously and addressed immediately. This item asks about thoughts of harming oneself, and even a response of 'hardly ever' warrants a direct conversation with a healthcare provider about safety and suicidal ideation. Perinatal depression carries an elevated risk of self-harm and must be managed proactively.
The EPDS was specifically designed to avoid somatic symptoms (sleep disturbance, appetite changes, fatigue) that are common in normal pregnancy and postpartum life, making it more specific for detecting true depressive symptoms in this population than general depression screening tools.
The EPDS should be administered as part of routine perinatal care. Most clinical guidelines recommend screening at least once during pregnancy (often at the first prenatal visit or during the first trimester) and once postpartum (typically at the 6-week postpartum visit). Some guidelines recommend more frequent screening at each trimester and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum.
It is also appropriate for use when a pregnant or postpartum patient presents with mood changes, difficulty bonding with the infant, excessive crying, withdrawal from family, or changes in self-care. The EPDS can be repeated over time to monitor symptom trajectory and treatment response. It has been validated for use as early as 2 weeks postpartum.
While the EPDS is the most widely used perinatal depression screening tool, it is a screening instrument and not a diagnostic test. A high score should prompt a clinical interview to confirm the diagnosis and assess for conditions that may mimic or co-occur with depression, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, postpartum psychosis, thyroid dysfunction, or anemia.
The EPDS was originally developed and validated in English-speaking populations. Although it has been translated into over 60 languages, the psychometric properties may vary across cultures, and cutoff scores may need adjustment for different populations. Cultural norms around emotional expression during motherhood can affect how women respond to certain items.
The EPDS focuses on depression and does not comprehensively assess anxiety, which is equally common in the perinatal period and frequently co-occurs with depression. If anxiety symptoms are prominent, a separate anxiety screening tool (such as the GAD-7) should be administered alongside the EPDS. The tool also does not screen for postpartum psychosis, a rare but dangerous condition requiring emergency intervention.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
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